Israeli Defense Chief Says Palestinians On Path to Mitchell Plan

Voice of America, December 29, 2001

Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer says the Palestinians may be on the path towards implementing the Mitchell plan and possibly restarting peace talks.

Mr. Ben-Eliezer told Israeli television Saturday if the Palestinians continue on the current path of arresting terrorists and foiling suicide bombings, Israel can start implementing the Mitchell agreement. But Mr. Ben-Eliezer said some Palestinians are preparing suicide attacks and car bombings.

The Mitchell plan, proposed by former U.S. Senator George Mitchell, calls for an end to violence and confidence- building measures before peace talks resume. Both Israel and the Palestinians have agreed to the plan, but have yet to implement it.

Palestinian violence against Israel has eased since Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat demanded militants halt attacks two weeks ago. Israel still insists he need to do more.

Earlier Saturday, Palestinian police arrested three members of the radical group Islamic Jihad in Gaza City. No other details were given. The group claimed responsibility for a failed suicide attack near a Jewish settlement in Gaza Friday. Israeli soldiers shot one of the would-be bombers to death. The other gunman escaped.

The Palestinians are also urging the United States to send Mideast envoy Anthony Zinni back to the region to start implementing the Mitchell plan. Secretary of State Colin Powell recalled General Zinni earlier this month amid a surge in Palestinian suicide attacks and a strong Israeli military response.

Secretary Powell has said he will only send the envoy back to the Middle East when conditions are right.

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